Ovulation bleeding or ovulation spotting is a common monthly occurrence for many women.
There are some who have never experienced it, or only experienced it after changing birth control, but you should know that it is normal, regardless if you have the spotting or not.
Some who experience ovulation bleeding monthly use it as a reasonably reliable way to determine ovulation so they can use this sign to either avoid getting pregnant or to conceive instead.
What Causes Ovulation Bleeding
Photo: Pixabay
If the egg is fertilized, you will get pregnant, if not, then you will get your period roughly two weeks later (that’s why women talk about the “TWW” or two-week wait while trying to conceive because that’s the timeframe we have to wait before determining if implantation was successful).
During ovulatory phase of menstrual cycle, the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes release of egg. The cervical mucus changes from watery to egg-white in consistency indicating the release of egg from ovary. [2].
For some, the release of the egg may cause some pain and cramps and also bleeding.
The cause of the bleeding/spotting is generally related to the sharp drop in estrogen aver ovulation before the levels of progesterone have risen [3].
But this isn’t something that has been studied regularly and researchers are still figuring out the cause of spotting.
According to one study, only 3 percent of women actually experience ovulation bleeding [4].
What Does Ovulation Bleeding Look Like
There are plenty of differences between ovulation bleeding and menstrual bleeding.
Generally, when it comes to ovulation bleeding it’s far lighter than a period and is generally light pink or brownish red [5].
For some, they also experience mild cramping as well (not unlike a period but a lot lighter and shorter in duration).
It may be mixed with cervical mucus and may be accompanied by mild pain in the stomach or some cramping that resembles menstrual cramping. Not all bleeding can be regarded as ovulation spotting.
If you notice heavy bleeding that lasts for days and looks like you are menstruating, consult a doctor immediately.
How Long Does Ovulation Bleeding Last?
Ovulation bleeding doesn’t usually last long. The average time frame is one to three days [6].
So if you have experienced spotting for a longer period of time, this is something you’ll want to be seen by a doctor because it can be a sign of something more serious or an underlying problem.
When it comes to the timeframe as to when you might see ovulation bleeding, it would happen around 14 days prior to your next period (or anywhere from 11-21 days from the first day of your last period [7]).
If it were implantation bleeding it would only happen about a day or two prior to your period [8] (which is why it’s sometimes confused for a period instead).
Ovulation Bleeding As a Birth Control Method
Those who experience ovulation bleeding in the middle of each cycle, can use this to help them either prevent or get pregnant.
Ovulation bleeding indicates that the egg has been released and is available for fertilization by sperm. So, if you are trying to get pregnant, it’s the perfect time to try.
In that same sense, if you are trying to avoid the pregnancy, you can use the same method.
But again, this is not a 100% sure way to avoid pregnancy and additional methods should be used if you are really trying to avoid starting or growing your family.
In addition to monitoring ovulation with spotting, there are a lot of people who use this in conjunction with measuring their basal body temperature in order to determine exactly when they are ovulating.
This is considered natural family planning and when done right can be extremely reliable; however, the failure rate of this method is high.
Other Signs of Ovulation
While ovulation bleeding is an amazing tool to either prevent or attempt to get pregnant there are also a few other ways to help determine that you are ovulating.
Other signs that indicate ovulation include changes in the cervical fluid, changes in the basal body temperature, increased sex drive, increased breast tenderness, and heightened senses as well [9].
Final Thoughts
Ovulation bleeding can be a way to tell when you are ovulating and when you are most fertile. If you are having regular bleeding or unusually painful cramps, that’s something that you want to discuss with your doctor to make sure there are no additional underlying conditions.
Again, it can be completely normal (I am one of the 3 percent that have ovulation bleeding) and your body’s way of telling you the perfect time to have intercourse. It also could be something you want to look into further at least once just to be sure.
References
- Clar McWeeney via Clue. Ovulation bleeding: What it is, and How to Know If You’re Experiencing It. [link]
- See above #1
- See above #1
- Menstrual Bleeding Patterns Among Regularly Menstruating Women [link]
- Anisha Nair via Parenting First Cry. Bleeding During Ovulation: Causes and Things to Know. [link]
- See above #5
- See above #4
- See above #5
- See above #4
Hey yall
Im weaning my daughter and have had wacky periods (none the first year) I went on the pill to try to regulate it, and am using a tracker app that says my cycle is 34 days. By the app I should have ovulated between 9-2-15 and 9-7-15, but I had some ovulation symptoms (increased sex drive, mood, high energy) on 8-31-15. Today (9-8-15) I had a some dark brown spotting, more than a few drops, less than a light tampon, accompanied by moderate pain in the low/mid back towards the left side. The app says I still have 13 days until my next period, but if the app may be a week behind, does this sound more like ovulation bleeding or implantation bleeding?
Hello. With a regular 28 to 30 days cycle, ovulation typically occurs on the 13th-16th day. Implantation usually happens within the next 10 days after ovulation. and it may be experienced 2-7 days before the beginning of the cycle. You should wait to see if you will miss your next period and take it from there.
Hi. I had a miscarriage on the 16th of July and I bleed for 2 weeks. After a month or so I had my first period which was on the 20th of august and it lasted as usual 5 day. I have been having sex since my fertile days started on my ovulation chat.4 days after my most fertile day , which is yesterday evening till today i have been spotting very light pinkish red. Could it be that I’m ovulating late or did I ovulated early and I’m having implementation spotting? Help please
Hello. It is typical to experience spotting or bleeding after a miscarriage; it may not be related to ovulation. Your body will need a little time to restore itself after the loss f your baby so it’s best not to rush into getting pregnant too soon. Be sure to consult with your doctor about whether it’s safe to try again.
Hi i have a period tracker app and i had my period last month august 19th-26th and im ovulating today sept.4.2014 i saw blood as i wiped and i freaked out cause it never happened to me before, so can someone tell me what this means if its not my period
This is possibly ovulation bleeding. To reiterate from our blog post, “ovulation bleeding or ovulation spotting is common with many women. While nothing like this ever happens to most women, some still get some spotting every month.”
Hi!
Can someone help me please, I started my period on the 26th of August, well what I thought was my period.. it lasted one day. The 27th of August it was spotty Brown then stopped completely. Two days later my fiance an I had sex and I began bleeding again but only enough to notice when I wipe and it went away the same day… is it a possibility I can be pregnant? My fiance and I been ttc for a while and had no luck, hoping this time we get lucky… HELP PLEASE, any suggestions??
The dates of your menstrual cycle as well as the length of your period, are needed to determine when you ovulated. To increase your chances of getting pregnant, you must have sex as often as possible during your fertile days. This link will also help you to recognize the difference between implantation bleeding and a period http://womanjunction.com/implantation-bleeding-period-recognize/
I need someone to help me out. I have this problem about two years now and I have been to hospital couple of times but I seem not to get the cause of my problem neither should I get the treatment. I did family planning for only one month and stop and hence my menses has just changed completely. Now it come for two days and go, very dark and some clots in it and if I meet with my husband the sperms will all pour back after the sex if I try to scout.
The issue you’re experiencing would need to be addressed by your medical practitioner. The matter of the sperms running out of your vagina after sex is quite normal. The sperm has nowhere else to go so it will run out of your body.
My period started 4th August then stopped 11th but I started Spotting on the 21st and it got heavier on the 24th and it’s still going on what could this be I want a baby so bad and scared as I only had my first ever pregnancy 1st July and now I am scared something gone wrong HELP PLEASE
Is it that you got pregnant on July 1st 2015 and you are now having a period in August 2015? The dates need to be clarified before a response can be provided.
Hi!
Me and my husband are really trying to conceive for about a year now. recently
I’ve had a spotting during the 16th and 25th of my cycle. Is this normal? I never experience such spotting between my cycle. As of today I still didn’t get my menstruation period for about 2 days now. I still didn’t take any PT as of the moment because I don’t want to get frustrated. What this possible could possibly be?
thank you!
Rhyne
Hello Rhyne, I think you should take a test because not knowing is more frustrating if its negative visit your doctor because sometimes you can be pregnant with a negative pregnancy test.
Ok, so I had my tubes tied in November 2014. With that being said. I had my last period from 8/23-8/28. Was off for two Whole days. Woke up this morning (8/30) spotting. Reading things on the Internet is only freaking me out. I took a pregnancy test to see if maybe I was having a miscarriage, it was negative. So my question is, what’s going on!? I just need my mind to be set at ease.
Since you had your tubes tied it’s best to see your Obgyn. Don’t get too caught up with the Internet, your doctor will guide you more accurately.
Hi I started my period On 8/17 and ended on 8/23 I’ve been having sex everyday since I got off my period and I guess I’m ovulating now cause I started spotting but my stomach feels like I have butterflies and cramps is that normal? I’ve been trying to conceive but hasn’t happened. when is the best time to have sex to conceive?
You would also need to confirm the length of your cycle and whether you have regular or irregular cycles. If for instance you have a 28 days cycle, then you would be fertile August 29th to September 2nd and your next period would be due in September 14th.
Hi I started my period the first of August an then I started bleeding around the 25 of August then it stopped then 2 days later I start bleeding again but seems like it’s my period but getting a lot of pains, is that normal??
Having two periods in a month can be normal based on the number of days in your cycle. More insightful information is included in this post http://womanjunction.com/menstrual-cycles-month/
Hi I started my period the first of August and then I started bleeding around the 25th of August then it stopped then 2 days later I start bleeding again but seems like it’s my period but getting a lot of pain, is that normal
Hi! The day I no longer had my period my bf and I had unprotected sex and now I am getting what resembles the ovulation bleeding but I have never experienced this before that I can recall. It wasn’t during my fertile time and I’m extremely concerned of pregnancy. I haven’t even had time to miss a period yet, since it wasn’t while I was fertile can it still be pregnancy? My bf and I have been together for years now and I have never experienced this please help!
It is possible for a woman to ovulate just after a period. This of course depends on the number of days in your cycle. For instance, someone with a 21 days cycle who bleeds for 7 days can ovulate right after her period. So your situation will depend on the number of days in your cycle.
I had my period the 12 of August had sex after it was over then last night I bled light pink to brownish blood for about and hour then it stopped Idk what it is I’ve heard about implantation bleeding from a fertilized egg but never experienced it with my son
Hi my name is Loveness. I had my period on 9/8/15 and ended on 13/8/15 few days after my period l had 3days spotting.After that on my ovulation l am exeperience spotting guys help me what is it
This link can provide some useful information http://womanjunction.com/facts-about-ovulation-bleeding/
I am on my period and my bf and I has sex and he want inside me and I’m having sharp pains in my stomach and my period looks like a light brown color.
Hi!
just wondering if i had ovulation bleeding yesterday at lunch is it to late to have sex today 6o’clockish and still get pregnant? or should i have sex within the 12-24hour timeframe that it happened? any answers would be appreciated x thank you. 🙂
Hi DaisyStalk, The best time to have sex would be on your ovulation day or a day before.
I’m on my menstrual cycle, it stopped for a couple days then started again. When it stopped does that mean I was ovulating?I started bleeding July 25th went to the doctor today and she said it is because I’m on my menstrual cycle, has any of you experienced this? What is your longest menstrual cycle? Did you experience bleeding, spotting then more bleeding?
Hi Ciara, Lots of changes occur in a woman’s body, some women experience ovulation bleeding while others get their period twice in one month it’s nothing to worry about and your body will go back to normal.